Ngā pātai uiui ana | Frequently Asked Questions

Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu | Midwifery Council (the Council) update these FAQs as often as possible.. If you have a question that is not in this section, please let us know so that we can grow this list and provide answers or explanations.

For Midwives

What is meant by being whānau centred?

Understanding the Te Reo kupu whānau is essential to reading the revised Scope of Practice statement. We invite you to explore the meaning of this word by reading the Tā te Kahu pōkai hōkaitanga o te tikanga ako | Educational resource.

The revised Scope of Practice statement stands in both Te Ao Māori and Tangata Tiriti world views. It is inclusive and affirms and enables kahu pōkai | midwives to practice in ways that meet the needs of all the whānau they work alongside.

Whānau is discussed further in video found HERE.

How was the revised Scope of Practice statement developed?

A Collaborative Reference Group (CRG) was appointed by the Council to provide expert advice and recommendations to the Council. Led by co-chairs Dr Hope Tupara and Dr Judith McAra-Couper, members of the reference group included kahu pōkai | midwives practising across all areas of the profession as well as consumers who provided essential whānau perspectives.

Working together in the three whare framework as Te Whare Māori, Te Whare Tauiwi and Te Whare o Te Tiriti Waitangi, the CRG developed the revised Scope of Practice statement over 2020 and 2021.

Are the recommendations from the Aotearoa Midwifery Project likely to impact on midwives pay and conditions?

Pay and conditions fall outside the scope of the project.

In the current climate with the Covid-19 pandemic creating uncertainty around the world, isn’t this project ill timed?

The Council is well aware that it is asking you to consider what this Scope of Practice statement means for you as practitioners in what we acknowledge are very challenging times. We believe the revised Scope of Practice statement is crucial to the provision of safe care of whānau and to the future of our profession.

For students

I am in a programme of education in order to become midwife – what will this mean to student midwives?

Students in approved programmes of education will complete their degree under those standards. Future students will have to complete education that meets the requirements of the new standards.

For consumers

I am pregnant – does this review mean that current midwifery services are unsafe?

No, this review aims to strengthen the existing regulatory framework to reflect the contemporary needs of all whānau.

How will whānau be able to be heard by the Aotearoa Midwifery Project?

The Council will continue to involve whānau. Consumers on the reference group are helping to grow wider involvement and will reach out to the wider community over the coming months.

There is already a shortage of midwives in Aotearoa – will this revised Scope of Practice statement make the situation worse?

The revised Scope of Practice statement is unlikely to impact on current supply issues, but the issues of recruitment, education and retention have all been considered by the CRG and the Council.